Alpha Centauri looks the ace in Falmouth pack

Harrington’s star hard to oppose after trouncing rivals in Coronation Stakes

ALPHA CENTAURI has seemingly scared off most of the opposition for the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes, the feature event on day two of the July Festival at Newmarket.

It is easy to see why plenty of trainers may be eager to duck a clash with Jessica Harrington’s star after she posted by far the most eye-catching success at Royal Ascot last month.

Fresh from victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Alpha Centauri put her Coronation Stakes rivals to the sword in some style, clocking a new course record on the way to a six-length victory over the reopposing Threading.

When given the signal inside the final furlong that day, Alpha Centauri virtually sprouted wings under Colm O’Donoghue, sprinting clear before being nursed home with the minimum of fuss.

This daughter of Mastercraftsman looks head and shoulders the best in the Distaff Mile division this year and it would take a brave soul to side against her here.

LA PELOSA seeks to turnaround Ascot form with Main Edition in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes after being edged out in Berkshire.

Charlie Appleby’s runner was just a neck adrift in the Albany Stakes, which was a highly commendable run for a filly with just one previous start to her name.

La Pelosa will surely step forward again from there and might just be able to improve past Main Edition this time.

CORROSIVE was likely hampered by a slow early pace in the Britannia on his most recent outing, but can bounce back in the Saeed Suhail Saeed Handicap. He was beaten only five lengths when 10th in the Ascot handicap after racing far too keenly through the early stages.

MAIN DESIRE can make the most of a drop in class in the Summer Stakes at York.

Michael Bell’s charge looked a topclass prospect last year before injury limited her juvenile campaign to just the two starts.

She picked up the winning thread on her return at York but a jump up to Group One company in the Commonwealth Cup proved beyond her at Royal Ascot. She missed the break that day and never looked likely to get back on terms with the leaders and Daniel Tudhope went easy enough on her when her chance had gone.

Main Desire remains an animal of potential though and should not be dismissed back against her own sex.

SELECTIONS

NEWMARKET: 1.50 Saluti, 2.25 LA PELOSA (NAP), 3.00 Zaaki, 3.35 Alpha Centauri, 4.10 Machell Place, 4.45 Shraaoh, 5.20 Corrosive.

YORK: 2.05 Diamond Oasis, 2.40 Mukhayyam, 3.15 Main Desire, 3.50 Delph Crescent, 4.25 Kodyanna, 5.00 Henley, 5.30 Byron’s Choice.

DOUBLE: La Pelosa and Alpha Centauri.